Number of nuclear reactors in the world. The largest nuclear power plants in the world

Now it’s impossible to imagine further development human society without electricity. All industries, communications, transport, production and operation household appliances built on the use of electricity. And every day it is needed more and more. New ways to obtain this important resource are being developed. Many countries around the world are searching for renewable alternative energy sources that can completely replace traditional ones and stop their release into the atmosphere. carbon dioxide, contributing to the emergence greenhouse effect. Nuclear energy, which is based on the use of controlled reactions in nuclear reactors, makes it possible to obtain a large number of electricity. a powerful nuclear power plant in the world produces more electricity than all alternative sources combined.

There are currently 191 nuclear power plants operating worldwide, with a total capacity of approximately 392,168 MW. Modern nuclear power plants use Various types reactors. For example, the most powerful operating power unit is installed at the Civo Nuclear Power Plant, an operating nuclear power plant in western France. Its first and second units operate on a pressurized water nuclear reactor PVR, each with a capacity of 1,561 MW. The height of the cooling towers is 180 m.

Despite the fact that the attitude towards nuclear power plants in many countries of the world is very ambiguous, today only they can provide the required amount of electricity. Subject to all safety measures, proper design and operation nuclear power plants can work without failures. The advantages of this method of generating electricity are obvious:

• economic benefit based on low production costs;
• no harmful emissions;
• low cost of fuel delivery;
• possibility of long-term operation in a controlled autonomous mode;
• a small number of service personnel.

In Japan, Niigata Prefecture, in the city of Kashiwazaki, a nuclear power plant consisting of seven reactors was built. Five of them are boiling water nuclear reactors BWR, and two improved ones are ABWRs. Their total capacity is 8,212 MW. The first power unit began generating electricity in 1985.

Due to the earthquake that occurred on July 16, 2007, which had a rating of 6.8 on the Richter scale, and the epicenter was located 19 km from the nuclear power plant, the work of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa was suspended. During the earthquake, only four power units were operating, and three were undergoing routine inspections. As a result of soil movement under the reactors, the station received more than 50 damages. A fire broke out at the transformer of unit No. 3. The owners of the nuclear power plant claim that it started due to direct contact between copper wires and “other metal”, as a result of which a spark broke out and the oil fluids ignited. During strong tremors, the transformer substation of the first power unit was moved, and most of the wires were disconnected. On blocks No. 1, 2, 4, 7, transformers had damaged barriers that were intended to prevent oil leakage. Only the transformers of the fifth power unit remained intact.

However, the consequences of the leak radioactive water Of the tanks where spent fuel was stored, those directly under the sixth reactor were the heaviest. In addition, the amount of liquid that leaked into the sea remains unknown. In addition, 438 containers with radioactive waste. Due to special filters damaged as a result of strong shocks, radioactive dust fell outside the nuclear power plant. Japanese experts pointed out that transformer buildings and a number of other buildings in which non-nuclear equipment was installed had an insignificant seismic strength margin. Therefore, everyone was lucky that the fire occurred on only one transformer.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa was shut down for inspection, restoration and additional anti-seismic measures. Damage from the earthquake was estimated at US$12.5 billion. Losses from nuclear power plant downtime and repairs alone amounted to $5.8 billion.

After a series of restoration work and necessary repairs, in May 2009 the seventh power unit (which suffered less than the others) was launched in test mode. In August of the same year, the sixth was launched, and the first began its work only on May 31, 2010. The second, third and fourth power units were never launched until the later disaster at Fukushima-1. In this regard, it was decided to shut down all operating Kashiwazaki-Kariwa reactors.

Other largest nuclear power plants in the world

The second place in power is occupied by the Canadian Bruce Nuclear Power Plant - 6,232 MW. It was built in 1987 on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario. It differs from other nuclear power plants in its truly huge occupied area - more than 932 hectares. It has eight operating reactors.

The Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (Ukraine) is considered third in the world in terms of the amount of electricity generated. Its capacity is 6,000 MW. It is located near the Kakhovka reservoir, not far from the town of Energodar. Europe's largest nuclear power plant employs 11.5 thousand service personnel.

The fourth largest nuclear power plant in the world is the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant. South Korea. Its capacity is 5,900 MW. But that's it for now. In the future, its capacity is planned to be increased to 8,700 MW.

The Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant is considered the most powerful nuclear power plant. She is in Saratov region, 8 km from the town of Balakovo. Its capacity is more than 3,000 MW, which is approximately equal to a fifth of the total energy produced by all nuclear power plants in the country. The station is served by 3,770 people. Stable water supply, necessary for trouble-free operation of pressurized water power reactors, is ensured by a closed circuit, which is formed by constructing dams in parts Saratov Reservoir. The location of the nuclear power plant was chosen taking into account sanitary zones that do not require the demolition of nearby settlements.

Since the second half of the 20th century, nuclear power plants have generated huge amounts of cheap electricity, which has helped improve technology and the quality of life for most people on our planet. It has now become clear that the most powerful nuclear power plant in the world must also be the most reliable, earthquake-resistant and safe.

Recent events in Japan Once again frightened humanity and made them think about the correctness of using the peaceful atom. Germany has already abandoned the peaceful nuclear program, and many states have begun developing new program clean energy production.

The first nuclear power plant was built in 1960, and ten years later there were 116 of them. Today there are more than 450 operating in the world nuclear reactors, which produce 350 gigawatts of electricity.

Most of the reactors are located in the USA - 104. By comparison, in France - 59, and in Russia there are only 29. The lion's share of the energy generated by Russia and France supplies the whole of Europe.

If you make a list of the world's leaders in energy production, it will look like this:

1. USA - 104 reactors.
2. France - 59 reactors.
3. Japan - 53 reactors.
4. Great Britain – 35 rectors.
5. Russia – 29 reactors.
6. Germany - 19 reactors.
7. South Korea - 16 reactors.
8. Canada - 14 reactors.
9. Ukraine – 13 reactors.
10. Sweden - 11 reactors.

All other countries have less than 10 reactors.

Here clear example distribution of reactors in Europe:

The largest and most powerful reactors on our planet are:

In first place are Fukushima I and Fukushima II in Japan, already known throughout the world due to the recent events. Both power plants are interconnected and are essentially one energy point. Fukushima's total power output is 8,814 megawatts. Today, both of these power plants are an energy hole for Japan's budget. Seven reactors at these power plants are either partially destroyed or in a meltdown. The destruction of the nuclear power plant was caused by an earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan.

Second place is also occupied by the Japanese Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, located near Sea of ​​Japan in Niigata Prefecture. The power output of all seven reactors is 8,212 megawatts.

In third place is the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The total output power of the 2 reactors is 6000 megawatts. By the way, Zaporozhye NPP is one of the largest nuclear power plants in Europe and the largest in Ukraine. She is also the current longest-living record holder. Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant was built in 1977.

Fourth place is occupied by the Yongwan Nuclear Power Plant in South Korea with a total power output of 5,875 megawatts. The power plant was built in 1986.
In fifth place is the Gravelines nuclear power plant, which is located in France. The power output of its six reactors is 5,460 megawatts. Gravelines is the largest nuclear power plant in France.

The French Paluel nuclear power plant also occupies sixth place. The reactor of this nuclear power plant is the largest in the world. The output power of the Paluel reactor is 5320 megawatts.

In seventh place is the Kattnom nuclear power plant, which is located in the same France. Each reactor of this nuclear power plant produces 1,300 megawatts of electricity.

Eighth place goes to the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant, which is located in Canada. The total power output of its eight reactors is 4,693 megawatts.

Okha Nuclear Power Plant is in ninth place. This nuclear power plant is located in Japan, in Fukui Prefecture. Ohi Nuclear Power Plant has a total of four reactors, two of which produce 1,180 megawatts, the other two are five megawatts less each. The total output power of the nuclear power plant is 4494 megawatts.

After recent events World Association Nuclear power plant operators (World Association of Nuclear Operators) at an extraordinary congress decided to strengthen safety at all existing nuclear power plants in the world, placing full responsibility for the implementation of this task on the countries that have nuclear power plants on their territory. Germany, in turn, has already abandoned the peaceful nuclear program and has begun developing more safe type electricity production.

Many are now looking for what will happen, some say - a meteorite, others - global warming, and a third associate the end of the world with our peaceful atom.

Today there are more than 400 operating nuclear power plants in the world, mainly in countries such as the USA, France, Japan and in the post-Soviet space - in Russia and Ukraine. Which of them is the most powerful nuclear power plant? After all, nuclear power plants vary in type of reactor, as well as in the number of reactors. There are very low-power ones like Russian or, and sometimes very tiny ones like or. And there are stations that supply entire industrial regions with their electricity. We'll talk about them. We present to your attention TOP 10 most powerful nuclear power plants in the world!

Rating of the TOP 10 largest nuclear power plants in the world

10th place. The most powerful nuclear power plant in Russia

Balakovo NPP – 4,000 MW

Location of the largest nuclear power plant in Russia: Russia, Saratov region

Location of the largest nuclear power plant in the USA: USA, Arizona

- the most powerful nuclear power plant in the United States. This nuclear power plant provides electricity to four million people with a maximum peak power of 4,174 MW across three reactors. Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant is the only nuclear power plant in the world that is not located near a large body of water. Used for cooling wastewater nearby cities.

8th place. The most powerful nuclear power plant in China

Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant – 4,437 MW

Location of Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant: China, Liaoning Province

Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province in China. The station includes four reactors, and their total capacity reaches 4,437 MW.

7th place. France's third nuclear power plant

Cattenom – 5,200 MW

Location of Kattenom Nuclear Power Plant: France, province of Lorraine

Capacity in the Alsace-Lorraine province of France is 5,200 MW across four reactors. Surprisingly, the station occupies a very small area, especially in comparison with the aforementioned most powerful US nuclear power plant in Palo Verde.

6th place. France's second nuclear power plant

Paluel – 5,320 MW

Location of Paluel Nuclear Power Plant: France, Haute-Normandie province

5th place. The most powerful nuclear power plant in France and Western Europe

Gravelines – 5,460 MW

Location of the largest nuclear power plant in France: France, Gravelines province

- the most powerful and largest nuclear power plant in France. The total capacity of this nuclear power plant is 5,460 MW.

4th place. South Korea's second nuclear power plant

Hanbit, Yeonggwang – 5,875 MW

Location of Hanbit NPP: South Korea

3rd place. The most powerful nuclear power plant in South Korea

Hanul – 5,881 MW

Location of the largest nuclear power plant in South Korea: South Korea

The largest nuclear power plant in South Korea is only slightly ahead of the previous contender from this country, Hanbit. The maximum capacity of this station is currently 5,881 MW.

2nd place. The most powerful nuclear power plant in Europe and Ukraine

Zaporozhye NPP – 6,000 MW

Location of Europe's largest nuclear power plant: Ukraine, Zaporozhye region

– the largest station in Ukraine, Europe and post-Soviet space. The plant's six reactors produce a peak power of 6,000 MW and make it the main supplier of electricity in Ukraine.

1st place. The most powerful nuclear power plant in the world, North America and Canada

Bruce County – 6,232 MW

Location of Canada's largest nuclear power plant: Canada, Ontario

In Canada it is the most powerful nuclear power plant in the territory North America, as well as the most powerful operating nuclear power plant peace. The maximum power of the eight reactors currently in use is 6,232 MW. Until 2015, the station’s two reactors had been at the modernization stage for a decade and a half.

Potential first place - Japan's most powerful nuclear power plant

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa – 7,965 MW

Location of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant: Japan, Niigata Prefecture

is the largest nuclear power plant in Japan and the world, which can rightfully be called the most powerful. It includes seven reactors with a total maximum power of 7,965 MW. But, like many Japanese nuclear power plants, it was shut down after the Fukushima-1 incident and at the beginning of 2017 is still considered temporarily shut down.

Former 1st place. Fukushima-1 and Fukushima-2

10. Wintersburg

Located in Arizona, USA. The largest nuclear power plant in the USA (occupies 16 km²). The enterprise generates energy for the needs of more than 4 million people. The maximum possible power is 3,942 MW.

9. Ohi

Located in Japan, Fukui.The station's 4 reactors are designed for a power of 4,494 MW.

8. Bruce County

Located in Canada, Ontario. Includes 8 reactors with a total capacity of 4,693 MW.

7. Cattenom

Region: France, Lorraine. Despite the small area of ​​the facility, it has a capacity of 5,200 MW.

6. Paluel

Region: France, Upper Normandy. The station provides work to the entire population of a small Norman village. The permissible power of the nuclear power plant is 5,320 MW.

5. Nord

Region: France, Gravelines. The largest nuclear facility in France. The enterprise's capacity is 5,460 MW.

4. Yeonggwang

Located in South Korea. It began operation in 1986, and now the maximum power of the station is 5,875 MW.

3. Zaporozhye NPP

Located in Ukraine, Zaporozhye. This unique, largest nuclear facility in Europe consists of 6 reactors producing power within 6,000 MW.

2. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa

Region: Japan. A modern nuclear power plant, which includes 5 unique BWR class reactors and 2 ABWR class reactors. The facility's capacity limit is 7,965 MW.

1. Fukushima I and II

Until recently, the total nuclear power plant capacity was 8,814 MW (world leader). After natural disasters(earthquake and tsunami), 4 of 6 reactors received significant damage.

On the left bank of the Saratov Reservoir. Consists of four VVER-1000 units, commissioned in 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1993.

Balakovo NPP is one of the four largest nuclear power plants in Russia, with the same capacity of 4000 MW each. It produces more than 30 billion kWh of electricity annually. If the second stage, the construction of which was mothballed in the 1990s, is put into operation, the station could be equal to the most powerful Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in Europe.

The Balakovo NPP operates in the base part of the load schedule of the United Energy System of the Middle Volga.

Beloyarsk NPP

Four power units were built at the station: two with thermal neutron reactors and two with fast neutron reactors. Currently, the operating power units are the 3rd and 4th power units with BN-600 and BN-800 reactors electrical power 600 MW and 880 MW respectively. BN-600 was put into operation in April - the world's first power unit industrial scale with a fast neutron reactor. BN-800 was put into commercial operation in November 2016. It is also the world's largest power unit with a fast neutron reactor.

The first two power units with water-graphite channel reactors AMB-100 and AMB-200 operated in - and -1989 and were stopped due to resource depletion. The fuel from the reactors has been unloaded and is in long-term storage in special cooling pools located in the same building as the reactors. All technological systems whose operation is not required for safety reasons have been stopped. Only ventilation systems are in operation to maintain temperature regime in the premises and a radiation monitoring system, the operation of which is ensured by qualified personnel around the clock.

Bilibino NPP

Located near the city of Bilibino, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. It consists of four EGP-6 units with a capacity of 12 MW each, commissioned in 1974 (two units), 1975 and 1976.

Generates electrical and thermal energy.

Kalinin NPP

Kalinin NPP is one of the four largest nuclear power plants in Russia, with the same capacity of 4000 MW each. Located in the north of the Tver region, on the southern shore of Lake Udomlya and near the city of the same name.

It consists of four power units, with VVER-1000 type reactors, with an electrical capacity of 1000 MW, which were put into operation in , , and 2011.

Kola NPP

Located near the city of Polyarnye Zori, Murmansk region, on the shores of Lake Imandra. Consists of four VVER-440 units, commissioned in 1973, 1974, 1981 and 1984.

The power of the station is 1760 MW.

Kursk NPP

Kursk NPP is one of the four largest nuclear power plants in Russia, with the same capacity of 4000 MW each. Located near the city of Kurchatov, Kursk region, on the banks of the Seim River. Consists of four RBMK-1000 units, commissioned in 1976, 1979, 1983 and 1985.

The power of the station is 4000 MW.

Leningrad NPP

Leningrad NPP is one of the four largest nuclear power plants in Russia, with the same capacity of 4000 MW each. Located near the city of Sosnovy Bor, Leningrad Region, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Consists of four RBMK-1000 units, commissioned in 1973, 1975, 1979 and 1981.

Novovoronezh NPP

In 2008, the nuclear power plant produced 8.12 billion kWh of electricity. The installed capacity utilization factor (IUR) was 92.45%. Since its launch () it has generated over 60 billion kWh of electricity.

Smolensk NPP

Located near the city of Desnogorsk, Smolensk region. The station consists of three power units with RBMK-1000 type reactors, which were put into operation in 1982, 1985 and 1990. Each power unit includes: one reactor with a thermal power of 3200 MW and two turbogenerators with an electrical power of 500 MW each.

Where in Russia was the nuclear power plant mothballed?

Baltic NPP

The nuclear power plant, consisting of two power units with a total capacity of 2.3 GW, has been built since 2010 in Kaliningrad region, the energy security of which it was intended to ensure. The first Rosatom facility to which it was planned to admit foreign investors was energy companies interested in purchasing surplus energy generated by nuclear power plants. The cost of the project with infrastructure was estimated at 225 billion rubles.Construction was frozen in 2014 due to possible difficulties with the sale of electricity abroad after the aggravation of the foreign policy situation.

In the future, it is possible to complete the construction of nuclear power plants, including those with less powerful reactors.

Unfinished nuclear power plants, the construction of which is not planned to be resumed

All these nuclear power plants were mothballed in the 1980s - 1990s. due to an accident at Chernobyl nuclear power plant, economic crisis, the subsequent collapse of the USSR and the fact that they ended up on the territory of newly formed states that could not afford such construction. Some of the construction sites of these stations in Russia may be involved in the construction of new nuclear power plants after 2020. These nuclear power plants include:

• Bashkir NPP
• Crimean NPP
• Tatar NPP
• Chigirinskaya NPP (GRES) (remained in Ukraine)

Also at the same time for safety reasons under pressure public opinion the construction of nuclear heat supply stations and nuclear combined heat and power plants, which were in a high degree of readiness, intended to supply hot water to major cities:

• Voronezh AST
• Gorky AST
• Minsk ATPP (remained in Belarus, completed as a regular CHPP - Minsk CHPP-5)
• Odessa ATPP (remained in Ukraine).
• Kharkov ATPP (remained in Ukraine)

Outside former USSR For various reasons, several more nuclear power plants of domestic projects were not completed:

• Belene Nuclear Power Plant (Bulgaria)
• NPP Zarnowiec (Poland) - construction stopped in 1990, most likely due to economic and political reasons, including the influence of public opinion after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.
• Sinpo Nuclear Power Plant (DPRK).
• Juragua Nuclear Power Plant (Cuba) - construction was stopped at a very high level of readiness in 1992 due to economic difficulties after the end of USSR assistance.
• Stendal Nuclear Power Plant (GDR, later Germany) - construction was canceled to a high degree of readiness with repurposing into a pulp and paper mill due to the country's refusal to build nuclear power plants at all.

Uranium production

Russia has proven reserves uranium ores, for 2006 estimated at 615 thousand tons of uranium.

The main uranium mining company, the Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Association, produces 93% of Russian uranium, providing 1/3 of the need for raw materials.

In 2009, the increase in uranium production was 25% compared to 2008.

Construction of reactors

Dynamics by number of power units (pcs)

Dynamics by total power (GW)

Russia has a large national program for the development of nuclear energy, including the construction of 28 nuclear reactors in the coming years. Thus, the commissioning of the first and second power units of Novovoronezh NPP-2 was supposed to take place in 2013-2015, but was postponed to at least the summer of 2016.

As of March 2016, 7 nuclear power units are being built in Russia, as well as a floating nuclear power plant.

On August 1, 2016, the construction of 8 new nuclear power plants until 2030 was approved.

Nuclear power plants under construction

Baltic NPP

The Baltic Nuclear Power Plant is being built near the city of Neman, in the Kaliningrad region. The station will consist of two VVER-1200 power units. Construction of the first block was planned to be completed in 2017, the second block - in 2019.

In mid-2013, a decision was made to freeze construction.

In April 2014, construction of the station was suspended.

Leningrad NPP-2

Others

Construction plans are also being worked out:

• Kola NPP-2 (in Murmansk region)
• Primorskaya NPP (in Primorsky Krai)
• Seversk NPP (in Tomsk region)

It is possible to resume construction on sites laid out back in the 1980s, but according to updated projects:

• Central Nuclear Power Plant (in the Kostroma region)
• South Ural Nuclear Power Plant (in the Chelyabinsk region)

International projects of Russia in nuclear energy

At the beginning of 2010, Russia had 16% of the market for construction and operation services

On September 23, 2013, Russia transferred the Bushehr nuclear power plant to Iran for operation.

As of March 2013, Russian company Atomstroyexport is building 3 nuclear power units abroad: two units of the Kudankulam NPP in India and one unit of the Tianwan NPP in China. The completion of two units of the Belene nuclear power plant in Bulgaria was canceled in 2012.

Currently, Rosatom owns 40% of the world market for uranium enrichment services and 17% of the market for the supply of nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants. Russia has large complex contracts in the field of nuclear energy with India, Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, Iran, Turkey, Finland, South Africa and with a number of countries in Eastern Europe. Complex contracts in the design and construction of nuclear power units, as well as in fuel supplies, are likely with Argentina, Belarus, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, ... STO 1.1.1.02.001.0673-2006. PBYa RU AS-89 (PNAE G - 1 - 024 - 90)

In 2011, Russian nuclear power plants generated 172.7 billion kWh, which amounted to 16.6% of the total output in the Unified Energy System of Russia. The volume of electricity supplied amounted to 161.6 billion kWh.

In 2012, Russian nuclear power plants generated 177.3 billion kWh, which amounted to 17.1% of the total output in the Unified Energy System of Russia. The volume of electricity supplied amounted to 165.727 billion kWh.

In 2018, generation at Russian nuclear power plants amounted to 196.4 billion kWh, which amounted to 18.7% of the total generation in the Unified Energy System of Russia.

The share of nuclear generation in the overall energy balance of Russia is about 18%. High value Nuclear energy has a presence in the European part of Russia and especially in the north-west, where output at nuclear power plants reaches 42%.

After the launch of the second power unit of the Volgodonsk NPP in 2010, Russian Prime Minister V.V. Putin announced plans to increase nuclear generation in Russia’s overall energy balance from 16% to 20-30%.

The developments of the draft Energy Strategy of Russia for the period until 2030 provide for an increase in electricity production at nuclear power plants by 4 times.